Commode ventilator

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for collecting and disposing of air from the vicinity of a commode, utilizing a room exhaust fan. The apparatus may comprise an air intake member mountable to the commode, a conduit extending to the inlet grille of the exhaust fan, and an adapter housing which fits over the intake of the fan and constrains the exhaust fan to draw exclusively or almost exclusively from the conduit. The conduit may comprise flat sided plural sections, with connecting sleeves and right angled elbow connectors. The adapter housing may bear closable louvers. The air intake member may be mounted to the commode using an adhesive bearing anchor, occupying the space between the bowl and the toilet seat. The apparatus may include clips for securing the conduit to a wall surface. The air intake member may be rigid or flaccid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to evacuation of odoriferous near commodes by drawing air from the environment of the commode and discharging the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Use of commodes typically entails release of objectionable odors into the atmosphere. Current practice is to provide bathrooms with exhaust fans for discharging odoriferous air. However, exhaust fans are typically located high in the room, at the ceiling in most cases. This causes fouled air to blend with the remaining air, so that the atmosphere of nearly the entire room becomes fouled. While an exhaust fan may eventually evacuate the fouled air, there is still considerable opportunity for the odor firstly, to permeate the entire room, and secondly, to spread beyond the bathroom.

The prior art has suggested diverse devices to collect air from the immediate vicinity of a commode, and to discharge this air. While this approach seems intuitively superior to depending on a wall or ceiling mounted exhaust fan, most executions of the approach cause the apparatus to become unduly cumbersome and impractical. For example, most air collection devices are self-contained, having a fan integral thereto. Not only does this cause the air collection device to become heavier and more expensive, but it further introduces the necessity of incorporating a power supply such as a battery, or introduces necessity of connecting to a wall mounted electrical receptacle.

There remains a need for an air evacuation system which draws from the immediate vicinity of the commode, and yet which is uncomplicated and practical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides apparatus which collects and disposes of air from the vicinity of a commode. The apparatus draws from the immediate vicinity of the commode and conducts collected air to a room exhaust fan. The apparatus comprises an inlet mountable to the commode, a conduit extending to the inlet grille of the exhaust fan, and an enclosure which constrains the exhaust fan to draw exclusively or almost exclusively from the conduit, thereby maximizing effectiveness of the air evacuation system.

The conduit is adapted to mount to room surfaces, such as the partition and ceiling, thereby being minimally intrusive with respect to the room, and for secure anchorage on the commode. The entire apparatus is uncomplicated, lightweight, inexpensive, and easily installable. Reliance upon integral power providing and utilizing apparatus is eliminated.

The invention may comprise a kit providing at least most of the components necessary to complete installation within a room, such as clips for wall and ceiling mounting of the conduit, and an anchor for mounting one end of the system to the commode.

It is an object of the invention to provide an air evacuation system for controlling and discharging odors from commodes.

Another object of the invention is that the air evacuation system be uncomplicated, inexpensive, and easily installed.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective environmental view of a room improved by incorporating apparatus of the invention, according to at least one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective detail view of a component of the apparatus, seen near the top of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the connection of the novel system at the commode, and is shown partially in cross section.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective detail view of a component facilitating the installation as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective detail view of a washer that may be utilized with the component of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a variation of the installation of FIG. 1, wherein there is no actual contact between the novel system and the associated commode.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective detail view of an alternative form to a terminus of the apparatus of the novel system.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective detail view of a connector which may be part of the apparatus of the novel system.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a component of the apparatus of the novel system.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective cross sectional view of the component of FIG. 9, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10, but is taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 10, but is taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a fastener which may be used with some of the components of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the invention, there is shown apparatus 100 for collecting and discharging odoriferous air from the vicinity of a commode 10 located in a room 12 provided with an exhaust fan 14 (not visible in its entirety) having an inlet to receive air from the room 12. The apparatus 100 may comprise an intake member 102 having an intake end 154 and a discharge end 106 of configuration different from that of the intake end 154. Air inducted from the intake member 102 flows into a conduit 108 which is insertably compatible with the discharge end 106 of the intake member 102. Air flows through the conduit 108 to an adapter housing 110 which is disposed to connect the elongated conduit 108 to the inlet of the exhaust fan 14. The adapter housing 110 also substantially seals against draw of air by the exhaust fan 14 from the atmosphere outside the adapter housing 110. It will be understood that air flow through the apparatus 100 is effected by the exhaust fan 14.

The adapter housing 110 may be large enough to cover the inlet of the exhaust fan 14, and may comprise an inlet opening 112 formed therein. The inlet opening 112 may be dimensioned and configured to be connectably compatible with the conduit 108, or alternatively, to comprise an adapter (not shown) effecting connection and retention of the conduit 108 to the adapter housing 110. The adapter housing is open at its upper end as depicted in FIG. 1, thereby forming an outlet opening 114 of cross sectional area at least about as great as that of the inlet of the exhaust fan 14.

FIG. 2 shows further details of the adapter housing 110. The adapter housing 110 may comprise a louvered zone bearing openable and closable louvers 116 and a manual control 118 for opening and closing the louvers 116. The manual control 118 may comprise a lever (not separately shown) which moves the louvers 116, which are pivotally mounted to the adapter housing 110. The end of the lever may be is exposed for access for manual operation. The louvers 116 may be opened to enable the exhaust fan 14 to be used to evacuate air from the vicinity of the adapter housing 110 without drawing air through the conduit 108, when it is desired to utilize the exhaust fan 14 in conventional fashion. To utilize the apparatus 100 rather than to utilize the exhaust fan 14 conventionally, the louvers 116 are closed.

The adapter housing 110 may be formed in a first component 120 and a second component 122 bearing the louvers 116, which second component 122 is removable from the first component 120. The first component 120 may comprise four walls which define the final volume of the adapter housing 110, as well as the inlet opening 112. Forming the adapter housing in two components 120, 122 may be done for manufacturing convenience, to expose fasteners for mounting the first component 120 to the ceiling or to the exhaust fan 14, to enable access to the fan 14 for servicing, or for other reasons.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the intake member 102 may be dimensioned and configured to fit between the toilet seat 16 and the upper surface of the bowl 18 of the commode 10. When installed between the toilet seat 16 and the upper surface of the bowl 18, the intake member 102 may fit without displacing the toilet seat 16 from its normal position when in use.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in order to keep the intake member 102 in place, the apparatus 100 may include an anchor 124 which is retainably engageable with the mounting structure of the toilet seat 16. Notably, the anchor 124 may comprise a first section 126 bearing a central opening 128 for passing a threaded fastening shaft of the mounting structure (not separately shown) of the toilet seat 16 therethrough. Such mounting structure typically includes a bolt or threaded stud which passes through a hole formed in the bowl of the commode. The toilet seat 16 may be temporarily removed to enable the central opening 128 of the anchor 124 to be placed over the bolt or stud, after which the toilet seat 16 may be replaced. To assure that the toilet seat 16 be symmetically displaced from the upper surface of the bowl 18 at both left and right sides after installation of the anchor 124, the apparatus 100 may comprise a washer 130 (see FIG. 5) of thickness 132 equal to the thickness 134 of the first section 126 of the anchor 124.

The anchor 124 may have a holding element for engaging and holding the intake member 102 so that the intake member 102 may be secured to the commode 10 by engagement with the mounting structure of the toilet seat 16. This holding element may comprise a second section bearing a fastening element for engaging and securing the intake member 102. This holding element may take the form of a tab or enlarged head 136. The fastening element may comprise adhesive 138. A neck 140 may project from the first section 126 to the second section, for connecting the former to the latter.

As seen in FIG. 6, it would be possible to mount the intake member 102 near the toilet seat 16 but not in as close proximity as seen in FIG. 3.

In a further option seen in FIG. 7, an intake member 102A, which in other ways may be a structural and functional equivalent of the intake member 102, may comprise flaccid constituent material, which lends itself to being manually formed to conform to diverse environmental elements (not shown) which might if present prevent installation as seen in FIG. 3. The intake member 102A may comprise a constrictive elastic band 142 for engaging the conduit 108. By contrast with flaccid construction of the intake member 102A, the intake member 102 may be sufficiently rigid as hold its form in the absence of forces which would distort its form.

As seen in FIG. 1, the conduit 108 comprises at least one section 144 which has at least one flat, planar side so as to be flushly mountable to a flat, planar wall or partition 20 of the room 12. In the installation as depicted in FIG. 1, the conduit 108 comprises not only the central section 144, but also a section 146 extending along the ceiling 22, and a short section 148 extending from the partition 20 to the intake member 102.

To facilitate installation in rooms of different layouts and dimensions, the apparatus 100 may be provided with components enabling ready assembly. For example, the installation seen in FIG. 1 includes two connector sleeves in the form of elbow fittings 150 each of which is disposed to receive therein and to mutually connect two adjacent sections of the conduit 108 disposed at a right angle to one another. This arrangement enables the conduit 108 to be mounted flushly to the ceiling 22 of the room and to a wall or partition such as the partition 20, while making transition between vertical orientation (i.e., extending along the partition 20) and horizontal orientation (i.e., extending along the ceiling 22).

The elbow fittings 150 may be dimensioned and configured to slip over the exposed ends of the various sections of the conduit 108, such as the sections 144, 146, and 148, and to engage these by friction. It will also be appreciated that the conduit 108 may be formed from lengths of stock material such as a synthetic resin, and may be easily cut to suit in order to be installed in rooms of different characteristics. Therefore, it would be possible to provide connector sleeves such as a straight connector sleeve 152, shown in FIG. 8, for joining conduit sections in straight alignment. Connection of the various conduit sections to one another enables a conduit such as the conduit 108 to be built up in overall length by connecting the plural sections serially so as to be able to span the distance from the intake member 102 to the adapter housing 110 regardless of the specific dimensions and configuration of the room.

FIG. 9 illustrates how the intake member 102 accommodates both the narrow gap between the toilet seat 16 and the bowl 18 of the commode, and also the configuration of the end of the conduit section 148. As seen in FIG. 3, the distal end 154 of the intake member 102 must be of low profile to fit between the toilet seat 16 and the bowl 18. Yet at its proximal end 156, the intake member 102 must be greater in height to match the configuration of the conduit section 148. This transition is preferably but not necessarily made gradually and progressively, as seen in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12, where it is seen from three arbitrarily selected cross sections that the height of the intake member 102 progressively increases from the distal end 154 to the proximal end 156.

Referring to FIG. 13, the apparatus 100 may be provided with one or more a three sided clip 158 for mounting the conduit 108 to the partition 20 or ceiling 22 of the room 12. The clip 158 may comprise a base section 160, a first side grip section 162 extending from the base section 160 at a substantially right angle thereto, and a second side grip section 164 spaced apart from the first side grip section 162 and extending from the base section 160 at a substantially right angle thereto. The clip 158 may be provided with a hole 166 for receiving the shaft of a fastener such as a screw 168 if desired, although it would be possible to delete the hole 166 since holes are easily drilled.

The invention may also be thought of as a method of collecting and discharging odoriferous air from the vicinity of a commode such as the commode 10 located in a room such as the room 12, which is provided with an exhaust fan such as the exhaust fan 14. The method may comprise the steps of providing an air intake member such as the air intake member 102 at the immediate vicinity of the commode; providing a conduit such as the conduit 108 disposed to conduct air from the air inlet to the immediate vicinity of the exhaust fan; providing an adapter housing such as the adapter housing 110, which covers the inlet of the exhaust fan and which receives the distal end of the conduit, and which substantially seals the inlet of the exhaust fan to infiltration of ambient air of the room; operating the exhaust fan; transporting collected air to the exhaust fan; and discharging collected air using the exhaust fan as the only air propulsion device acting to evacuate air from the vicinity of the commode and to the exterior of the room.

The method may be amplified to comprise the further step of causing the conduit to extend from the commode to a vertical surface of the room, such as the partition 20. The method may further comprise a step of causing the conduit to extend along the ceiling of the room, such as the ceiling 22, to the adapter housing. The method may comprise a further step of anchoring the intake member to the commode, and a still further step of installing the intake member between the rim of the commode and the seat of the commode.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible. 

1. A method of collecting and discharging odoriferous air from the vicinity of a commode located in a room provided with an exhaust fan, comprising the steps of: providing an air intake member at the immediate vicinity of the commode; providing a conduit disposed to conduct air from the air inlet to the immediate vicinity of the exhaust fan; providing an adapter housing which covers the inlet of the exhaust fan and which receives the distal end of the conduit, and which substantially seals the inlet of the exhaust fan to infiltration of ambient air of the room; and operating the exhaust fan; transporting collected air to the exhaust fan; and discharging collected air using the exhaust fan as the only air propulsion device acting to evacuate air from the vicinity of the commode and to the exterior of the room.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of causing the conduit to extend from the commode to a vertical surface of the room.
 3. The method of claim 2, comprising the further step of causing the conduit to extend along the ceiling of the room to the adapter housing.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of anchoring the intake member to the commode.
 5. The method of claim 4, comprising the further step of installing the intake member between the rim of the commode and the seat of the commode.
 6. Apparatus for collecting and discharging odoriferous air from the vicinity of a commode located in a room provided with an exhaust fan having an inlet, comprising: an intake member having an intake end and a discharge end of configuration different from that of the intake end; a conduit which is insertably compatible with the discharge end of the intake member; an adapter housing which is disposed to connect the elongated conduit to the inlet of the exhaust fan and to substantially seal against draw of air by the exhaust fan from the atmosphere outside the adapter housing, comprising an enclosure which is large enough to cover the inlet of the exhaust fan of the room, an inlet opening formed in the housing which is connectably compatible with the conduit, and an outlet opening formed in the adapter housing of cross sectional area at least about as great as that of the inlet of the exhaust fan of the room.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the conduit comprises at least one section which has at least one flat, planar side so as to be flushly mountable to a flat, planar wall or partition of the room.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the conduit comprises plural sections and at least one connector sleeve which enables one of the plural sections to be connected to another one of the plural sections, whereby the conduit may be built up in overall length by connecting the plural sections serially so as to be able to span the distance from the intake member to the adapter housing.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one elbow fitting disposed to receive therein and to mutually connect two adjacent sections of the conduit disposed at a right angle to one another, whereby the conduit may be mounted flushly to a ceiling of the room and to a wall or partition while making transition between vertical orientation and horizontal orientation.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the adapter housing comprises a louvered zone bearing openable and closable louvers and a manual control for opening and closing the louvers, whereby the fan may be used to evacuate air from the vicinity of the housing without drawing through the conduit.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the adapter housing is formed in a first component and a second component bearing the louvers, which second component is removable from the first component.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the intake member is dimensioned and configured to fit between a toilet seat and the upper surface of the bowl of the commode, whereby the intake member may be installed between the toilet seat and the upper surface of the bowl of the commode without displacing the toilet seat from its normal position when in use.
 13. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an anchor which is retainably engageable with the mounting structure of the toilet seat, and has a holding element for engaging and holding the intake member, whereby the intake member may be secured to the commode by engagement with the mounting structure of the toilet seat.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the anchor comprises a first section bearing a central opening for passing a threaded fastening shaft of the mounting structure of the toilet seat therethrough, a neck projecting from the first section, and a second section connected to the neck, wherein the second section bears a fastening element for engaging and securing the intake member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fastening element comprises adhesive.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first section of the anchor has a thickness, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a washer of thickness equal to that of the first section of the anchor, whereby when the anchor and washer are mounted to the commode, the toilet seat is symmetrically displaced from the upper surface of the bowl of the commode.
 17. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a three sided clip for mounting the conduit to a wall, partition, or ceiling surface of the room, comprising a base section, a first side grip section extending from the base section at a substantially right angle thereto, and a second side grip section spaced apart from the first side grip section and extending from the base section at a substantially right angle thereto.
 18. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the intake member is sufficiently rigid as hold its form in the absence of forces which would distort its form.
 19. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the intake member comprises a flaccid constituent material. 